FHSAA Diamond Notes: 3/26 to 4/1
April 4, 2019
Throughout the 2019 high school season, we’re accepting nominations from the coaches across the state of Florida for their program’s PDQ Player of the Week candidates. While there can only be one PDQ Player of the Week in the state, we’ll be using this weekly FL Diamond Notes post to highlight the top performers of the past week who fell just short of PDQ POTW honors. We cover all corners of the state, and the evidence is in this post.
Below are the Diamond Notes from March 26 to April 1.
PBR Florida would like to thank all the coaches from across the state who nominated their players. There were numerous worthy selections, making it a difficult challenge to narrow down our Player of the Week. However, with much thought and deliberation we were able to narrow down our candidates.
+ Michael Mullins, OF, Steinbrenner, 2019
The uncommitted senior was instrumental in Steinbrenner’s district victory of Plant. Mullins went 2-for-3 with a double, homerun and two RBI. His homerun was the difference maker against Plant, coming in the bottom of the seventh, to walk off the game.
+ Tanner Faichild, 3B/RHP, The Out of Door Academy, 2021
Fairchild had a scorching hot week, hitting .625 (5-for-8) and driving in four runs. ODA would go 1-1 on the week, defeating Berkeley Prep before dropping one to Inspiration Academy.
+ Chris Pizarro, SS, Winter Park, 2019
The uncommitted senior had an exceptional week at the plate. In 10 plate appearances, he collected seven hits, including two doubles and two triples. On top of that, he stole two bases, scored five times and drove in seven runs.
+ Will Sullivan, 1B/C, Dr. Phillips, 2019
Sullivan, a Troy recruit, has been swing it well all season, hitting .543, and continued that trend this week. The power hitting 1B/C launched two home runs and two doubles last week, driving in three runs and scoring four times himself. Sullivan even added in two stolen bases.
+ Justin Diaz, RHP/3B, Taravella, 2019
An Oglethorpe University recruit, Diaz dazzled against McArthur last week. The right-hander picked up the win, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing three hits, striking out 10 batters.
+ Ben Anderson, 2B, Christ’s Church Academy, 2020
Anderson put together an all-around great week, both at the plate and in the field. Offensively, Anderson went 5-for-9 with three runs scored and two runs driven in. On the defensive side, Anderson contributed four putouts and four assists.
+ Colton Bruns, RHP, Mount Dora, 2019
The St. Leorecruit achieved something we do not often see. Bruns managed to pick up two wins on the week. He finished the week with a line of: 8.1 IP, 2 W, 7 H, 1 ER, 10 K, 1 CG.
+ Dylan Wolff, SS, Evangelical Christian, 2021
The young shortstop had a week many dream of. The shortstop collected seven hits in 10 at-bats, scoring all seven times that he got on base. And we cannot forget that he also drove in five runs and stole five bases
+ Najer Victor, RHP, East Ridge, 2020
A Central Florida commit, Victor was a driving force in East Ridge’s two district wins last week. At the plate, he went 5-for-6 with one double, one triple, one RBI and three stolen bases. He then got it done on the mound, picking up a win and a save in four innings pitched, giving up one hit, striking out seven total and issuing two free passes.
+ Jayden Long, 3B/1B, Ridgeview, 2022
Long was called up to varsity on Wednesday and immediately showed why he belonged. The freshman collected five hits in nine at-bats, including two doubles and four RBI with an OBP of .600. An incredible start to one’s varsity career.
+ Camden Minacci, RHP, Jesuit, 2020
Minacci, a Wake Forest commit, has regularly been nominated for PDQ POTW honors, and rightfully so. The right-hander has thrown 26 scoreless innings this season and only given up six hits. This week, he threw a complete game two hit shutout with 12 strikeouts against district foe Robinson.
+ Ryan Slater, RHP/SS, East Lake, 2020
Slater put forth another great all around performance this week. The future Florida Gator provided support offensively, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, one triple and an RBI. He then hopped on the mound and showed just why he is a coveted prospect, tossing six shutout innings, scattering two hits and striking out nine in a winning outing.
+ Noah McCollum, SS, Fleming Island, 2019
The leadoff hitter and starting shortstop, the uncommitted senior is relied on to do a lot for Fleming Island and he is delivering. Last week McCollum went 5-for-9 with a walk, three runs scored and two stolen bases. In the field he held a perfect fielding percentage while making a number of highlight reel plays.
+ Jacob Granger, 2B/SS, North Florida Christian, 2019
An uncommitted senior, Granger showed he is willing to get on base any way possible. In three games he went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two driven in. What makes his 3-for-4 week so impressive is that he drew five walks.
+ Josiah Miller, SS, North Florida Christian, 2019
Miller is another name that has frequently been nominated for PDQ POTW. The Florida State recruit had a big power week with one double, one home run, two walks, three stolen bases and five runs driven in.
+ Jace Jones, INF, Cypress Lake, 2021
Jones, a Florida Gulf Coast commit, led Cypress Lake offensively for the week. In 10 at-bats, he collected five hits including two doubles.
+ Daniel Vassallo, RHP, Carrollwood Day School, 2020
.Vassallo gave St. Ignatius (OH) a rude welcome to Carrollwood. The right-hander picked up the win, going six strong innings, scattering five hits, striking out three and walking none. CDS came away with the 6-0 victory.
+ Emil Valenzuela, SS, Gulf Coast, 2019
The Florida Gulf Coast recruit helped lead the Sharks of Gulf Coast to a 3-0 week. Valenzuela hit .635, collecting five hits with two RBI, four runs scored and three stolen bases.
+ Michael La Rocca, 1B, John Carroll Catholic, 2019
La Rocca, an Army recruit, picked up MVP honors at last week’s IMG National Classic. The slugging left-handed hitter went 7-for-11 with two doubles, two home runs, four runs and six runs driven in. La Rocca has been nominated several times for his offensive exploits this season
+ Jamie Mahoney, RHP, Palm Bay Magnet, 2019
The uncommitted senior has been lights out so far this season. This week he tossed his third complete game shutout of the season. In three starts on the mound, he has thrown three complete games, picking up three wins. Most impressive is his 0.00 ERA on the season. Mahoney.